Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Bring me back to another mornin'
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolia blossom
Cotton fields was white as snow

Catfish John was a river hobo
Livin' down by the river's bed
Lookin' back, I still remember
I was proud to be his friend

Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn

Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg
Traded for a chestnut mare
But still he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear

Momma said, don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old Catfish John
Come the mornin' I'd always be there
Walkin' in his footsteps in the sweet delta dawn